Margaret Edgington, vice-president of the group, said current trainingcourses 'are too generic. They do not cover areas such as outdoor play,or creating an environment that supports child-initiated learning -things which are fundamental to working with the youngest agegroups.'
NCRNE members also criticised Early Years Professional Status for 'notbeing rigorous enough', as EYP Status can be obtained without undergoingprofessional training.
The group, which comprises more than 200 members, is calling for aspecialist early years teacher programme covering practice with childrenfrom birth to eight years old.
Members also reported more maintained nursery schools and children'scentres facing closure or significant financial cuts and called for theGovernment to take action to ensure adequate funding. The group pointedto DfES-funded research showing that outcomes for children are best inmaintained nursery schools and integrated centres with a strongnursery-school core.
Ms Edgington said, 'Funding is being reduced quite seriously and thereis the threat of settings being unable to afford qualified teachers. Wefeel the quality of nursery education is gradually being eroded.'
She added, 'If we lose our best nursery education provision, where arethe role models for the sector? Nursery schools and fully integratedcentres provide the model of inspiring, reflective practice.'
